Chapter 5

                                    

                                          
19 Days Until...

                          
Josh
                          
The sun shines in my face, it's bright ass rays waking me up.  Thank god it's Saturday though.  School is just downright crazy here.  And I still haven't downloaded that app Brooke wanted me to.  Brooke, why does that bring up something for today?  Oh right, horseback riding and dinner.  Maybe I should text her and see what time so I don't just show up without any warning.
                          
Me- Hey Brooke, what time do you want me to pick you up today?
                          
Brooke- around 1 should be good right?
                          
Me- Yea, that should totally work.  See you then beautiful (:
                          
Brooke- See ya then Josh (:
                          
Now I've just gotta convince my mom to let me take the car today.  Well, that should be interesting...  I have my license and she's fine with me driving, she'd just ask lots and lots of questions about Brooke and I, who she still hasn't met.  But she will, eventually.  "Josh, get out of bed."  My mom says with a smile, I leave my door open at night mainly because I'm scared.  Not of the dark, of fires and not being able to get out.  Of someone I love having a heart attack or something and not being able to get there fast enough.  Just another one of the side effects... "But Mom, I don't wanna.  It's too early."
                          
"But not too early to text Brooke?  C'mon, out of bed mister."
                          
"Yes ma'am."  She leaves to go downstairs and most likely cook breakfast, like always.  Her food is delicious.  There is absolutely nothing better than her cooking.  And yea, I know most teenage guys don't say that or act like they love their moms.  But how could I not?  I can't imagine anybody else that I'd rather have as a mom, or to call family.  And I just don't understand how Dad could leave her.  Especially with a newborn kid, all on her own.  Hell, she lost her parents and family because of him.  The jerks disowned her and haven't made any moves to contact her.  We haven't made any moves to contact them either though.  Why would we want to anyway?  They are complete douchebags.  I look at my clock and see that it's 11 a.m., well damn.  Only two more hours and then it's time for Brooke and I's date?  Is it a date?  Fuck it, if it is, it is, if it isn't, guess I'll have to wait a tad bit longer.  "Josh!  Breakfast is ready!"  My mom yells from downstairs.  "Okay, I'm coming."  I yell back down to her.  Guess it's time to go eat.
                          
A few hours later, I find myself at Brooke's door.  I knock twice, and wait there anxiously for someone to open the damn door.  A few seconds later, Brooke walks out.  Looking very country.  Like damn... The plaid shirt and ripped jeans and cowgirl boots are a complete difference from the normal leather jacket bad-ass look she has going on.  "Hey Josh."  She greets me with a smile on her face.  "Hey Brooke, what's up?"  Well, that was smooth, we both already know what's up.  Ugh... "Going on a date with you mister."  She laughs at me.  "C'mon let's go, it wasn't easy convincing my mom to let me take the car."  We walk over to the car and get in.  "Ready to get your ass kicked Josh?"
                          
"You are the one who'll be getting your ass kicked Brooke.  Not me."  I smirk at her and start driving while Brooke directs me on where to go, in the middle of whichever song she's singing along to.  
                          
After a few minutes of driving we pull up to the horse ranch.  "Hey Ms. Gosaka.  Riding again?"  An old man says walking up to us with a smile on his face.  "Yes sir, I brought a friend along with me this time too."
                          
"I see that.  Nice to meet you, I'm the owner of this place and Brooke here comes just about every single weekend.  One of my more loyal and nicer riders."  That smile is always on his face it seems.  "Nice to meet you sir, my name is Josh."  
                          
"Fantastic.  Now who here is ready to get up on a horse and ride to their hearts content?"  We walk into the barn and the unmistakable smell of horse greets us.  It's kind of a minty, crisp smell that just makes you feel completely at home and comfortable.  Brooke walks over to a tall white horse with a black mane and tail.  It's eyes are a swirling pool of crystal blue and a dark earthy brown.  "Josh, meet Calypso, she's the one I ride every time I come here."  She opens the stall door and walks in.  Calypso just stands there and gently shoves Brooke to the side with her head.  "Hey Calypso, nice to meet you."  I run my hand down her neck, standing beside Brooke.  Mr. Burnham (the owner)  stands at the stall door.  "So Josh, now comes the fun part for you.  Pickin' out the horse you want to ride.  Come on, we'll find the perfect one for you."  He leads me out of the stall and down the aisle.  I hear a whinny from behind me, and this gorgeous dark bay horse is being led to a stall.  "Who's that?"  I ask.  "That's Iliure.  The name means free in Catalan.  He's a spirited one, that's for sure.  Hey Nick, bring Iliure over here, this young man would like to see him."  Nick walks him over and Iliure huffs at me, almost like a sigh.  "This is one to be careful of Mr. Burnham.  He's wild.  Definitely lives up to his name."  Nick smiles at the end of that, gently running a hand down Iliure's face.  I reach out and rub under his forelock, normally an itchy spot for them.  He looks at me with his big brown eyes, so brown they are almost black.  "Can I ride him?"  I ask, with a smile on my face.  Brooke comes out of the Calypso's stall and stands beside me.  "This guy is crazy Josh.  Wild and filled to the brim with spirit."